Destination Kalinga, Philippines: An Historical and Cultural Tour of Lubuagan, Kalinga

An Historical and Cultural Experience of  Lubuagan, Kalinga

Lubuagan, Kalinga prides itself as the seat of the Philippine government under president Emilio Aguinaldo from March 16 to May 17, 1900. 
     This tour package brings you to the municipality for its historical highlights and the remnants of those years. One can relive the flight from American captivity of president Emilio Aguinaldo through the Freedom Trail that goes into the mountains and down into adjacent Pasil municipality. The Aguinaldo shrine is a landmark near the municipal hall.

The "Taltallac" or wooden cart at San Francisco restaurant.

Loomweaving has been an industry in this place since time immemorial and passed through generations of women. Weaving historian Cirilo Bawer is a person to visit at Mabilong Weaving Village. One can watch the weavers at their looms or purchase the products as souvenirs. This requires one to ascend a series of stairs to the different homes of the weavers.

A Lubuagan girl models the hand woven belt with ethnic Kalinga patterns and beads.

   The view of the distant mountains of Tinglayan along the Tabuk-Bontoc road that traverses Lubuagan is inspiring and exciting.  A few kilometers away from Mabilong Weaver’s Village is the San Francisco Restaurant that offers meals and a ride on the “Taltallac” or the wooden carts on the cement pavement. This child’s cart is an exhilarating experience.

Traditional gongs and bamboo instruments are part of the cultural experience at Awichon Cultural Village.

One also ascends a seven kilometer road from the central town of Lubuagan into the cultural and arts center called the Awichon Cultural Village. Established by 2000 Gawad Manlilikha awardee of National Commission for Culture and Arts, Alonzo Saclag Sr.  Saclag, 77, the living treasure of Kalinga, welcomes visitors to his cultural village with stories and experiences of Kalinga lifeways. Playing indigenous games, learning to play indigenous bamboo instruments, and sleeping in traditional octagonal Kalinga huts are the memorable experiences one can take home after an overnight stay here. One can taste traditional Kalinga food or order regular meals here. The evening promises dances around a bonfire and a cultural show.

The traditional Kalinga octagonal house used for accommodating tourists at P500 per head. One can also use the traditional costumes and participate in the cultural show. The evening bonfires are perfect for dancing and playing instruments.

Alonzo Saclag Sr. is a Philippine Living Treasure because of his knowledge in Kalinga arts and music. He welcomes guests with stories and teaches interested guests how to play the instruments.

Traditional architecture and engineering were used to construct the six Kalinga houses that have no nails, only pegs.

The Freedom Trail hike is also a 30 minute walk outside the village.

   
      Before the morning departure, the view of the sea of clouds can be breathtaking. This tour package is at P7, 800 for 24 hours for a maximum of four with the vehicle and tour guide. For more information on the package, please contact MHotel  in Tabuk, Kalinga at +639399316982 or +639178131423.